Auto repair shops of their sizes have now realized that it takes technology and software to stay ahead of the curve. Not only does the right technology and auto repair software offer a competitive advantage in terms of efficiency, but it has also become absolutely necessary to keep up with the customers of this day and age.
If you’re an owner or manager of an auto repair shop or an exotic car repair shop, chances are, you are also on the hunt for the #1 auto repair shop management software to take your business to the next level.
But if you’re still wondering what auto repair software is and why you should get one, we have got you covered. Starting off with the basics of what an auto shop management software is, we move on to the top tips and tricks that shop owners can use to select an auto repair software for their exotic car repair shop.
However, it doesn’t matter if you are the owner of a small auto repair shop, this system has the power to inject efficiency in all auto repair businesses if chosen correctly.
What is auto repair software?
Auto repair software has taken the auto repair industry by storm, out of its sheer usability. An all-in-one auto repair software has the power to grow your business profitability, revenue and cut down on costs.
An auto repair shop software integrates all workflows of auto repair shops including customer relationship management, tasks and order scheduling, inventory management and key performance tracking.
That said, an auto shop management software brings with itself various features that are critical to the success of auto shops.
What are the common features of auto shop management software?
Automotive businesses are moving at the speed of light when it comes to digital transformations, especially after the onset of COVID-19. Auto shop owners nowadays are well aware that repairs are no longer a menial task, it too has become a high tech role.
Let’s look at a few features of this software, which has made it a modern-day necessity for automotive repair shops to aid day to day operations:
Customer relationship management:
Appointment scheduling, service reminders, service history tracking and customer data storage for a consistent service
Automates the payment processing and estimate generation process:
Generate invoices, provide service estimates and execute the payment process through a Point of Sale (POS) terminal
Inventory control and management:
Tracking inventory levels, triggering reminders when levels are critically low and automatic parts reordering
Empower technicians and mechanics:
This is done through a seamless work order management schedule that includes time tracking
Customer Relationship Management:
Collecting feedback of existing customers for future marketing campaigns
Tracking KPIs:
Keeping a check on team performance and key company performance indicators
Fleet maintenance capability
Maintaining and tracking the shops’ fleet of vehicles
Integrations
Integration of auto repair software in existing software of the company e.g CRM
Financial Performance
Generate and track key financial indicators like cash flows, profitability, accounts receivable, accounts payable and technical information about company processes
Basically, the best auto repair software has the capability to track and provide all the features that are needed to automate business processes.
Why invest in auto repair software?
If you have an auto repair shop for luxury or exotic cars, you know that it needs a lot of care to keep it running. In fact, these cars are one of the most expensive things that your customers own. So, you need to be sure that it’s always in tip-top shape. This means that you need to take care of the auto repair shop like it was your child.
But you’re like most auto shop owners, you probably don’t want to spend all day every day doing auto repair work. So, you need auto repair software that lets you schedule repairs, order parts, and make sure that you’re always on top of your auto maintenance.
So how can this automotive software solution help your exotic car repair shop in the digital transformation process? Why should you pick an auto repair shop management software for your shop?
1. Customizability:
An auto repair shop management software for auto repair shops is customizable for both desktop and mobile access. This allows you to add, remove and update information and features to suit your needs. An auto repair shop management software has a robust database structure that can be further enhanced as you need it to be.
2. Integrations:
An auto repair shop management software will allow you to integrate with other software like Microsoft Excel, Google sheets and a lot more. This allows you to add functionality without any hassle and keep track of all your operations from one place.
3. Real-time:
An auto repair shop management software provides real-time information for independent auto repair shops which gives you the ability to monitor and analyze the status of the different processes happening at your exotic car repair shop.
4. Remote access:
An auto repair shop management software allows remote access to the system which enables you to work on your computer anywhere even if your shop is under renovation or you are away from your shop.
5. Helps you in team management:
We often think of running our own business as being like having our own personal manager. But running your own auto repair business also requires managing employees. Whether you want to take care of people on the shop floor or you want to manage the office staff, managing people is a key part of all automotive businesses and repair shops. A good auto shop management software will allow you to do that, seamlessly.
How to choose auto repair software for car repair shop?
This brings us to the real challenge, how do you choose the best auto repair software for your exotic car repair shop? What are some of the factors you need to look at while picking the right auto repair software for repair shops?
Whether you’re looking for software for an auto repair shop or a thriving automotive business, follow the basic blueprint below that will work for all independent auto body shops to choose software vendors and types.
1. User Interface.
This is how easy the software is to use. You want to invest in management software for your auto repair shop that is easy to use and understand for your team. Whether you go for mobile apps or windows operating systems, check the user interface of the management software.
2. An all in one platform
The best software solutions not only deliver consistent service but also have all the features packed in a single platform for automotive repair processes. This should include the following features:
Reporting. You need a good reporting feature. This is an easy way for you to view all the important information about your business.
Inventory Management and Tracking. You want to be able to keep track of your inventory for the complete automotive repair process. It’s very important that you can see exactly what you have in stock.
Client Management. You want to know who your clients are and how many visits they have. How do you want your clients to contact you? A good management software has all of these capabilities.
Invoicing. You need to make sure that you have the right type of invoice or auto repair bill that you need. What do your customers like? Do they like paper or electronic invoices? Do you want to send out bills monthly or annually?
Billing. How do you want to charge your clients? Do you want to set up different price levels based on their visit? You need to decide this before you start your auto repair business.
Reporting. You need to be able to view all of the important information about your auto repair business. What is your net profit margin?
Scheduling. You want scheduling software that will allow you to schedule your clients in advance. You want to know that you’re not going to have to wait for them to come in.
Customer Management. You want to know who your clients are and how many visits they have. How do you want your clients to contact you?
Technical support by the software vendor
You need to make sure that the software vendor that you choose offers technical support so your team is easily onboarded.
Budget
It’s very important that you pick management software that is well within your budget. Often, shop management software vendors offer a free trial before they charge you, so it’s best to get a free trial version before you pay for the entire thing.
Customer Reviews
Before the final selection of your workshop software, make sure you go through the customer reviews of other players in the automotive industry and see what their experience was like. Often customer testimonials are quite helpful in helping you see if the vendor has an efficient service or not.
The Bottom Line
The automotive industry is quickly evolving with changing shop methods for repair shops. Shop management software for tasks like cloud based repair orders, auto repair billing, verification of car details, tracking vehicle history and services, offer great efficiencies to shop owners and managers.
With an automotive repair business, you want to be sure to take the time to learn about the software you will be using in order to make sure it is the best fit for your business.
You’ll want to ask for referrals from friends or other auto body shops in the automotive repair industry that uses the same shop management software and see what they like and don’t like. A good shop management software holds the capability to catapult an automotive business to success.